A warm dry day found us at the top of the Oakland Hills (technically Berkeley via the Postal Code) at Lynn and Dave's stunning nugget nestled just below Grizzly Peak. Draped in the green of pines and native growth, the quiet canyon spilled down to the Bay peaking out from a lingering marine layer. The large table was well sat with some new faces and others familiar.
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| Small Hens and Chestnuts |
"Little birds" were well represented, and the wines seemed to work as well. A Vouvray offered enough fruit to match the foie gras, but allowed also for a bright side that didn't hold down the butternut squash soup. Went with a Burgundy from Volnay for the quail with fig compote , round and even to match both. Did a Vaqueyras for the hens, chestnuts and pannade without regret; spicey, rich, with a good weight. Even slid in a Corbiéres (a generous addition from friend Sean) with the greens and the three cheeses selected, the syrah and mourvédre blend continuing with a light spice what the Vaqueyras had begun. We were very happy to have brought some of the countryside back for the meal: the foie gras from a farm in a nearby village, fig compote which Katie had done when the indian summer made for heavy branches, and even the chestnuts found during a day of foraging with Suzanne.
With the last of the dishes put away, the breeze spilling in from the open balcony doors still holding a hint of the day's heat, we sipped a last cognac (Jules Gautret, Jarnac) with our hosts. The quiet of the newly emptied space offered a contrast to the hum of conversation and laughter that had carried us through the afternoon. Tempted to speak of the rabbits which will be our focus for November, I deferred to my wife's well earned fatigue. It was a good time to just sit with smiles and thanks to all those who joined us.
http://www.chez-gautier.com
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